New York
| A Christian family that fled Boko Haram and lives in a New York homeless shelter has captivated the city, thanks to a chess-playing 8-year-old

by Emily Belz Posted 3/20/19, 01:07 pm

A New York moment:

Please, steel yourself. An 8-year-old boy, the son of devout Christian parents who recently fled Boko Haram in Nigeria, just won the state chess championship in New York for his age group. New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof has the full, incredible story.

International
| Chinese government tells believers to put their faith in socialism

by Onize Ohikere Posted 3/19/19, 05:06 pm

A Chinese government religious official last week accused the West of using Christianity to weaken the country’s political power and called for obedience to a socialist interpretation of the religion.

Xu Xiaohong, head of the official Movement of Protestant Churches in China, said Western influence and private meeting places plague Christianity in the country, adding that people who try to subvert national security under the guise of Christianity will face justice.

by Onize Ohikere Posted 3/14/19, 10:58 am

Nigerian rescue workers on Thursday ended the search for survivors after a three-story building that housed a school collapsed the previous day, killing at least nine people in southwestern Lagos state. Rescue teams worked throughout the night and found one more body early Thursday. The National Emergency Management Agency said 37 other people were rescued from the rubble.

International
| British farmers could lose their valuable trade agreements with Europe

Mindy Belz | 3/13/19, 03:55 pm

BRITAIN: Following Tuesday’s defeat in Parliament of Prime Minister Theresa May’s plan to exit the European Union, on an unequivocal 391-242 vote, lawmakers voted Wednesday not to leave the EU without a formal agreement and will vote Thursday on whether to seek a delay, meaning a no-deal Brexit remains a distinct possibility.

Onize Ohikere | 3/13/19, 11:47 am

Rescue crews in southwestern Nigeria responded Wednesday to the collapse of a three-story building that housed a school. At least eight children were confirmed dead as rescue efforts continued, the BBC reported. The school, where more than 100 pupils were enrolled, met on the top floor of the building, which was also a residential block in Ita Faji, Lagos state. Witnesses said rescue workers pulled at least a dozen children from the rubble of concrete slabs and metal.

International
| Plus, from Kew Gardens to Kashmir, it’s hot all over

Mindy Belz | 2/27/19, 11:32 am

AFRICA: United Methodists meeting in St. Louis on Tuesday reaffirmed the denomination’s teaching on sexual ethics, rejecting plans that would permit same-sex marriages and clergy to be sexually active outside of monogamous, heterosexual marriages.

Onize Ohikere | 2/27/19, 10:55 am

ABUJA, Nigeria—Incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari won reelection in Nigeria with 56 percent of votes, the country’s electoral commission announced early Wednesday. Buhari’s All Progressives Congress won in 19 of 36 states with 15.1 million votes. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the major opposition candidate with the People’s Democratic Party, received 11.2 million votes in 17 states and the capital city, Abuja. Voter turnout was 35.6 percent, down from 44 percent in the 2015 election, the commission said.

International
| The opposition disagrees, sparking fears of violence in the days ahead

Onize Ohikere | 2/26/19, 05:45 pm

ABUJA, Nigeria—As Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said an unofficial count indicated he won Saturday’s presidential contest against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the opposition has already rejected the outcome of the vote, causing concern about unrest. At least 53 people have been killed in election-related violence and there have been a handful of insurgent attacks in some of the northern areas known for conflict.

International
| Vice president set to meet with Venezuela’s interim president

Mindy Belz | 2/25/19, 12:53 pm

VENEZUELA: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence traveled to South America Monday with a scheduled meeting with interim President Juan Guaidó following a weekend of violence. Security forces under President Nicolás Maduro clashed over the weekend with an opposition-led operation to breach Maduro’s humanitarian aid blockade and deliver needed food and medicine.

International
| Plus, keeping a troop presence in Syria and forcing aid into Venezuela

Mindy Belz | 2/22/19, 11:31 am

HAITI: The arrests and release of five former U.S. military officers carrying a cache of weapons in Port-au-Prince has created a political uproar among Haitians already upset with President Javenal Moise, amid rising street unrest. Instead of standing trial, the Americans were removed from the country under U.S. State Department escort.